ULEZ expansion overview

The document argues that expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is essential to combat illegal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in London, which are nearly twice the legal limit. It details the expansion's scope, the specific vehicle emission standards required to avoid charges, and the projected health benefits, including the avoidance of 250,000 new cases of air pollution-related disease. The guide highlights that road transport, particularly diesel cars, is the primary source of NO2 pollution and emphasizes that low-income and minority communities are disproportionately affected by poor air quality. It also advocates for further measures, such as expanding the ULEZ to all of Greater London and adopting stricter World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for particulate matter (PM2.5).

• The ULEZ expansion, set for 25 October 2021, will increase the zone's size by 18 times compared to the central London ULEZ, extending up to the North and South Circular Roads.
• Road transport is the primary contributor to illegal NO2 pollution in London, accounting for 49% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Diesel cars are the largest single source of road transport NOx emissions at 30%.
• London's NO2 levels are nearly double the legal limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). Without bold policies like the ULEZ, it is estimated it would have taken 193 years from 2016 to meet legal limits.
• The expansion is projected to yield significant health and financial benefits by 2050, including the avoidance of over 250,000 new cases of air pollution-related disease and a £4.2 billion cost saving for the NHS and social care system.
• Low-income households and ethnic minorities are disproportionately exposed to higher levels of air pollution despite contributing less to the problem. The ULEZ expansion is projected to reduce the exposure gap between the most and least deprived areas by 71%.
• The initial central London ULEZ demonstrated success before the pandemic, contributing to a 37% decrease in NO2 pollution in the three months prior to lockdown and a 49% reduction in the average daily number of non-compliant vehicles.
• To achieve full protection, the document argues for expanding the ULEZ to cover all of Greater London, transforming the central zone into a zero emission zone by 2025, and meeting WHO guideline levels for PM2.5 by 2030.

APA

ClientEarth (2021). ULEZ expansion overview. https://www.clientearth.org/media/fb4cjmgg/ulex-campaign-guide-october-2021.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. ULEZ expansion overview. 2021. https://www.clientearth.org/media/fb4cjmgg/ulex-campaign-guide-october-2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=ClientEarth |title=ULEZ expansion overview |date=October 2021 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/fb4cjmgg/ulex-campaign-guide-october-2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{clientearth2021ulez, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{ULEZ expansion overview}}, institution = {ClientEarth}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/fb4cjmgg/ulex-campaign-guide-october-2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }